A few days after Xena's campaign to save Amphipolis, the rag tag group of young warriors was training hard under Xena's watchful eye.  Lyceus kept watch over the surrounding area from high above in a nearby tree – a tree he and Xena had often climbed together as young children.  Now he kept a lookout for Cortese's army.  Without warning, the tree shook violently as he descended. 

"They're coming," he said.

"How close?"
"They'll be in Amphipolis within two hours time."

"Alright, spread the word.  I want us in town as soon as possible.  Send Toris ahead.  If he won't fight, he can help get the elders out of there and into the caves."

Lyceus nodded and took off to gather the troops.  Xena set her jaw, her blood pounding at the thought of having the battle so close at hand.  Cortese was early – she hadn't expected him for a few more days.  Her warriors weren't ready just yet, not completely, but she had to trust that she had taught them well enough.

"Stop right there Cortese," Xena said, not much later, her sword drawn.  "This village is off limits to you."

Cortese laughed a terrible laugh.  "Step aside girl.  Who's going to stop me?  You?"

As if in response, the youth of Amphipolis drew their weapons, while the elders that had not been fortunate enough to escape stood by wide-eyed and motionless.  Cortese's men looked amused at best.  There was no way that these children were going to stop them.  Then, all Hades broke loose as the battle commenced. 

Swords clashed and sparks flew as metal met metal.  Blood and sweat flowed freely from both sides in the fading summer light.  Cortese's army outnumbered Xena's at least five to one.  But her army was not disheartened – they only fought that much harder.  Before she even realized it, Xena was right in the middle of the fight.  She could she Toris fighting off to her right, but she couldn't see Lyceus.  At the moment, she was facing more immediate problems however.  Two warriors were both trying to plunge their swords into her.  She parried every blow just as skillfully as they had been dealt.  She had to admit, Cortese's army was good.

Several hours passed and the battle raged on.  Cortese's army was cut down to a quarter of its' original size.  Xena's army had been cut in half.  Each side was tiring and already, half of Amphipolis had been set ablaze by Cortese's men.  Those not fighting struggled to get the fire under control.  Toris had since fled the battle, risking himself to move a few of the badly injured to safety.  No end to the battle seemed to be in sight until Cortese mounted his horse and called the retreat command to his men.

"You haven't heard the last of me Xena," was the last thing that Cortese yelled out.

The army retreated in a hurry, dazed by the fierceness of the young fighters.  In Amphipolis, Xena's joy was short lived.  Lyceus still fought off one more warrior who was intent on killing the boy.  Just as Xena rushed to his aid, she saw the warrior plunge his sword into her brother's heart.  She came up behind the man uttering her ear piercing battle cry.  With a clean motion, she used her sword to slit the man's throat.  The warm blood rushed forth from the warrior, covering Xena's hands completely.  Wide-eyed, the man gurgled more blood, then fell to the ground.  But Xena felt nothing except a cold rage overtake her and concern for her brother.  In a flash, Xena was cradling Lyceus and inspecting his wound.